Page:Claude McKay Constab Ballads.djvu/20

An’ de sad, glad recollection
Brought a strange thrill to my soul,
’Memberin’ how his affection
Gave joy in a barren wul’:
As I thought then, my mind goin’
Back to mem’ries, oh! so dear,––
As I felt de burden growin’,
Jes’ so shall I write it here.

We were once more on de drill-ground,
Me so happy by his side,
One in passion, one in will, bound
By a boundless love an’ wide:
Daily you would see us drinkin’
Our tea by de mess-room door,
Every passin’ moment linkin’
Us togeder more an’ more.

After little lazy leanin’,
Sittin’ on de window-sill,
Me would start our carbine-cleanin'’
For de eight o’clock big drill:
’Fo’ me he be’n always ready,
An’ as smart as smart could be;
He was always quick, yet steady,
Not of wav’rin’ min’ like me.

When de time was awful dull in
De ole borin’ Depôt-school,
An’ me face was changed an’ sullen,
An’ I kicked against de rule,
He would speak to me so sweetly,

Tellin’ me to bear my fate,